Assignment 1.2: Lions for Lambs thoughts and reflections

Lions for Lambs brings together the many perspectives of a very complicated situation into one focus.  I have found that as we examine the intricacies of the relationship between war and politics and subsequently our relationship within such topics we do often get lost as the student in the professor’s office does.  Though many of us have personal connections, with dear friends fighting in Afghanistan currently, many of us also feel this disconnect daily in understanding the magnitude of these situations and the roles they play within our own individual lives.  The film brings a reality about, the fuel that the media gives politicians and the government to feed information, and the role they play in how we react or feel about the situation as well.  We can think back to the Vietnam War, which was the first war that was broadcast on television.  Before that, much of our nation had a pride in our troops that we were fighting a war that we believed was always necessary because we personally did not see people dying and reporters openly questioning the point of the war.  In recent years, between the tragic events of September 11 forcing the war on terror and the invasion of Iraq we have seen this exact situation occur.  We have felt the media amp us up and make us feel as if the war is necessary and right and then gradually taking on a complete reversal, condemning the war and making us question what the purpose of it is all over again.  This whirlwind often leaves us feeling confused individually in how we should approach the war, or those involved.  This matched with the true power of the media often becomes a determining factor in swaying us one direction or the other. It becomes very frustrating, I find, for the individual to decide which path to choose, thus directing me to the relationship that the reporter, Janine Roth has with the senator within the movie.  Propaganda is key in so many situations in like this, and truly gives words existential power.

                Further, I think there becomes a cloudy area.  Often individuals forget in translation that no matter what we must support those that defend us.  We may not agree with what we are fighting, but the pride should always be there, the support must always exist.  Once again referencing the Vietnam War, when soldiers came home they were ignored and spit on basically, given absolutely no respect.  Many of these soldiers did not even voluntarily join the war.  Rather they were drafted defending the freedom we have today, fulfilling their duty as a citizen of our country.  Even further we should have the most respect for the soldiers today, as there is no draft and these men and women voluntarily enter the military to ensure that the draft does not occur again, and that we are not threatened or our nationhood breached as it was on that day in September 11 years ago now.  I think the film reiterates the ideas that we are a generally misinformed nation about the path we are taking.  Most Americans are satisfied with what the media feeds us and are not interested in exploring further or developing our own opinions on the issues.  This is easily seen daily in every aspect of our lives, not necessarily on purpose, but truly because the life we live for most of us are healthy and safe.  We forget that within our own nation we are fighting these issues because we are sheltered by our communities.  Most of us have not had to defend our property with a gun against intruders to our borders because we go there instead.  These barriers cause many of us to lead our lives blindly, rather than attempting to solve the issue, we are satisfied with life as it is and do not want to disturb that balance or peace that has been discovered.  I am not saying I am innocent, because I do this daily in my own life.  I often can find myself saying that I truly want to get involved in a cause and make a difference.  Though sometimes I am able to make that wish a reality, most of the time I am swept up in the work that I have and move past the emotional encounter I had and continue to live my life the way I had.  This film brought many of these thoughts to me through underlying themes that I think were meant to have a powerful effect on the actual reality of the lives we live.   Lions for Lambs made me question my own personal stance, rather than what other say or essentially tell me to believe.  We must see our future and understand the role we play, rather than succumb to just becoming another follower that simply goes with the flow.  We must attempt to make a difference, and be the difference.